The Water Cycle

The Water Cycle Unlike energy, matter is not lost as it passes through an ecosystem. Instead, matter, including water, is recycled. This recycling involves specific interactions between the biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem. Chances are, the water you drank this morning has been around for millions of years, or more. Water and nutrients are constantly being recycled through the environment.

The Steps 1. Water evaporates from the surface of the oceans, leaving behind salts. As the water vapor rises, it collects and is stored in clouds. 2. As water cools in the clouds, condensation occurs. Condensation is when gases turn back into liquids. 3. Condensation creates precipitation. Precipitation includes rain, snow, hail, and sleet. The precipitation allows the water to return again to the Earth’s surface. 4. When precipitation lands on land, the water can sink into the ground to become part of our underground water reserves, also known as groundwater. Much of this underground water is stored in aquifers, which are porous layers of rock that can hold water. 5. Run-off: Most precipitation that occurs over land, however, is not absorbed by the soil and is called runoff. This runoff collects in streams and rivers and eventually flows back into the ocean.

The Steps 6. Transpiration Water also moves through the living organisms in an ecosystem. Plants soak up large amounts of water through their roots. The water then moves up the plant and evaporates from tiny openings in the leaves in a process called transpiration. The process of transpiration, like evaporation, returns water back into the atmosphere.